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Hours |
Sept-Mar daily 8am-7pm; Apr-Aug daily 8am-6pm. Free guided garden walks Mon-Sat at 10am and Tues also at 11am. Golf-cart tours (R35) depart every hour 9am-3pm. Call for other events |
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Location |
Rhodes Dr., Newlands, 13km (8 miles) from the city center, |
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Transportation |
Take De Waal Dr. (M3) toward Muizenberg, at the first traffic light intersection turn right (southward) into Rhodes Dr. (M63), and follow the signs |
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Phone |
021/799-8899, 021/799-8783 |
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Web site |
www.nbi.ac.za
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Prices |
R32 adults, R10 children 6-17. Audio guides R35. Summer sunset concerts R50 adults, R15 children |
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Situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch is the third-most-visited attraction in Cape Town and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Its shaded lawns and gurgling streams are the perfect antidote to the searing summer heat, and they're equally glorious in winter, when the rain coaxes out some of the best blooms. With the cultivated sections seamlessly blending into the adjoining Table Mountain nature reserve, some 8,000 of South Africa's 22,000 plant species (including a giant baobab tree) grow here. There are a number of themed walks and areas; as an introduction to the indigenous flora, the fynbos walk is recommended. Of historic interest are the remains of the wild almond hedge that Jan Van Riebeeck planted in 1660 to demarcate the colony from the indigenous Khoi. Easiest is to hire an audio guide, or avail yourself of the free guided garden walks that take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday (or take a golf cart tour -- see below). Summer sunset concerts are held every Sunday at 5:30pm from late-November to mid-April and feature an eclectic mix of mediocre-to-brilliant bands, orchestras, and solo artists. It's usually worth attending simply to check out the crowd (seating is on the lawn -- bring a blanket, food, and drinks, and arrive very early if you want a spot near the stage). At the main entrance there are two restaurants (tel. 021/762-9585): the self-service Fynbos (9am-5pm) and adjacent Silver Tree, serving a la carte lunches and dinners. The venue and views are lovely, but the food is pricey and unremarkable. Locals and visitors in the know avoid these tourist traps and opt to enter through Gate 2 to eat breakfast or lunch at the small, thatched Tea House (tel. 021/797-4883), with tables outside and a well-priced menu.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
